Welcome to Artist Features—an offering from Now & Then that provides depth and insight into the work of our artists. For show info and tickets, visit our box office.

Meet Actor Aaron Ford


Aaron is performing in Lottery House by Angelica Howland, the next #newworkshop selection in Now & Then's 3rd season. Artistic Director John Perovich had a chance to speak with Aaron about his role and process for the workshop. Lottery House by Angelica Howland will be presented to audiences Friday, November 15 at 7:30PM and Saturday, November 16 at 11:00AM.


John Perovich (JP): Aaron, it's wonderful to have you joining us at Now & Then—for the very first time! Welcome! Can you share a bit about your character with us?


Aaron Ford (AF): Myles is a family man from Texas. He has seen darker days, but has since found sobriety and has chosen to seek positivity in people and situations, no matter how flawed. In our production, he is the voice of reason and tries to remain as even keeled and level headed as possible—until that is no longer an option...


JP: Well, that was an excellent cliff hanger—look out, friends! Myles is packing some mystery! Please tell us a bit about your process as an actor. How has it been different for this workshop?


AF: I am very analytical when it comes to my process. I like to delve into who my character is and then—based on the framework set by the text and the blocking/rehearsal process—I can create a fully formed person. The process of a workshop is different in the way the piece is constantly being retooled and worked into the product that we finally see onstage. It’s so exciting and enlightening to be on the ground floor of something new and to be able to use my thought process and inflections on a new character where we’re similar, and to develop the nuances in moments where he and I differ. 


JP: It's no easy task to do that level of work while the script is changing. For instance, the end of the play did change quite a bit since the beginning of the week, and...well...I'll just share that maybe that has an impact on your character and maybe it doesn't...I don't want to give anything away, come see Lottery House! Final question, there are so many options for seeing theatre in the valley or staying at home to stream stuff (Disney+ seems to be on everyone's minds). Why should audiences check out Lottery House?


AF: Nothing compares to live theater! Netflix and these other streaming platforms are incredible. They are making decades worth of incredible content available in your pocket; however, the connection between an audience and a live actor onstage is lost when you’re lying in bed streaming. I believe that theater is the highest of all art forms not because it’s better than any other, but rather, it is a combination of all the fine arts (acting, singing, dancing, sound design, graphic and visual design, instrumentalists, costume design, audio design, etc...) all put on display live in one space in time. Nothing can compare! Thank you for coming to my TED-talk! 


Lottery House by Angelica Howland will be presented to audiences this Friday, November 15 at 7:30PM and Saturday, November 16 at 11:00AM. For info and tickets, click here.